Zuppa Toscana Soup
This Zuppa Toscana Soup is a cozy, flavorful Italian-inspired soup made with browned Italian sausage, tender potatoes, garlic, kale, and a splash of cream for richness. It delivers the same comforting flavors you'd expect from the restaurant version, but with simple ingredients and an easy one-pot method that comes together in under an hour.
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A Quick Look at the Recipe
✅ Recipe Name: Zuppa Toscana Soup
🕒 Ready In: ~45 minutes
👪 Serves: 6 servings
🍽 Calories: ~380 per serving (estimated)
🥣 Main Ingredients: Italian sausage, potatoes, chicken broth, bacon, garlic, kale, heavy cream
📖 Dietary Info: Naturally gluten-free; easy to adapt for dairy-free variations
👌 Difficulty: Easy - one pot, simple steps, and minimal prep
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Browning the sausage and onion together builds a savory base, while simmering the potatoes in chicken broth releases natural starches that thicken the soup without needing flour. Fresh kale softens perfectly in the hot broth, and adding the cream at the end keeps the soup silky without curdling. The result is a balanced bowl that's hearty, flavorful, and satisfying without feeling heavy.
To round out the meal, serve this Zuppa Toscana Soup with a simple side salad, crusty bread, or roasted vegetables. It also pairs well with light, comforting dishes like Mushroom Risotto or a seasonal appetizer such as Gluten-Free Crab Cakes. For a heartier spread, add a second soup like Chicken Mushroom Wild Rice Soup or serve alongside Italian-inspired mains such as Vegetable Lasagna.
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Why You'll Love this Zuppa Toscana Soup:
Rich and comforting: A creamy, savory broth loaded with sausage, potatoes, and bacon.
Better than takeout: Inspired by the Olive Garden favorite but made with fresher, simpler ingredients.
One-pot meal: Everything cooks in one pot for easy cleanup and full flavor.
Naturally gluten-free: No flour or thickeners needed, just wholesome ingredients.
Perfect for cold nights: Hearty, cozy, and filling enough to serve as a full meal.
Key Ingredients:
- ground italian sausage. Use spicy or mild depending on your preference, sausage brings rich flavor to the base of the soup.
- chicken broth. The base of the soup, use a good-quality or homemade chicken broth for best flavor.
- bacon. Cooked separately until crisp, then stirred in for smoky flavor and texture.
- russet potatoes. Starchy and hearty, peel and dice into even pieces so they cook at the same rate.
- fresh kale. Adds color, texture, and nutrients. Strip the leaves from the stems and chop into bite-sized pieces.
- heavy cream. Makes the broth rich and velvety, add at the end to keep it smooth.
Scroll to the recipe card at the bottom of this page for exact quantities.
Easy Substitutions & Variations:
- Sausage Options: Swap Italian sausage with mild, hot, or chicken sausage. For a lighter version, use turkey sausage and add extra garlic for flavor.
- Potato Swaps: Yukon gold potatoes can replace russets for a creamier texture and softer bite.
- Greens Variations: Use spinach, Swiss chard, or collard greens instead of kale. Add delicate greens at the very end to prevent overcooking.
- Cream Alternatives: Substitute half-and-half for a lighter broth or use full-fat coconut milk for a dairy-free option.
- Bacon Boost: Replace cooked bacon with pancetta for a more traditional Italian flavor.
- Extra Heat: Add red pepper flakes or use hot Italian sausage to make a spicy Zuppa Toscana.
- Thicker Soup: Mash a few cooked potatoes or stir in an extra splash of cream to adjust the thickness to your preference.
How to Make Zuppa Toscana Soup:
- In a large pot or Dutch oven, brown the Italian sausage and diced onion together over medium heat. Stir occasionally and cook until the sausage is browned and the onions are soft.
- Stir in the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
- Pour in the chicken broth then add the diced potatoes. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to medium and let it simmer for 10-15 minutes, or until the potatoes are tender.
- Stir in the cooked bacon and chopped kale. Simmer until the kale begins to wilt.
- Pour in the heavy cream and stir. Heat through without boiling.
- Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper as needed. Serve hot, topped with shredded parmesan cheese.
Recipe Notes & Tips:
- Brown sausage and onion together: Cooking them at the same time builds flavor and saves a step, no need to remove the sausage from the pot.
- Cook bacon separately for best texture: Crisp bacon adds a smoky bite, stir it in at the end or use it as a garnish.
- Cut potatoes evenly: Evenly diced potatoes cook more consistently and keep the soup from becoming too thick in spots.
- Simmer gently: Once potatoes are added, keep the soup at a low simmer to prevent breaking them down too much.
- Add kale at the end: It softens quickly and keeps its color and texture best when added during the final few minutes.
- Stir in cream off the heat: Add the cream just before serving to keep it from curdling and to maintain its richness.
- Top with Parmesan: A sprinkle of shredded Parmesan enhances the flavor and gives a salty, cheesy finish.
How to Store:
Refrigerator: Let the soup cool completely, then store in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
Freezer: Not recommended due to the cream and potatoes, which can change texture when thawed. If you do freeze it, reheat gently and expect a slightly different consistency.
Reheat: Warm on the stovetop over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally. If the soup thickens too much, add a splash of broth or water to loosen.
Zuppa Toscana Soup FAQs:
Zuppa Toscana Soup stands out because it layers browned Italian sausage, garlic, bacon, and kale with tender potatoes simmered in a lightly creamy broth. Unlike traditional potato soups that rely on heavy cream or roux for thickness, Zuppa Toscana gets its body from potato starch released during simmering, giving it a rich, silky texture without feeling heavy.
Yes. To make Zuppa Toscana Soup dairy-free, replace the heavy cream with full-fat coconut milk and omit the parmesan cheese. The coconut milk keeps the broth creamy while still allowing the sausage, garlic, and kale flavors to shine. Be sure to add the dairy-free alternative at the end to prevent separation.
Absolutely. Spinach is a great substitute in Zuppa Toscana Soup and cooks much faster than kale. Add it during the final minute of cooking, just enough time for it to wilt without turning mushy.
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Zuppa Toscana Soup
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground italian sausage
- 1 cup yellow onion, diced
- 6 cups chicken broth
- 4 slices cooked bacon, diced
- 4 large russet potatoes, peeled and diced
- 6 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 ½ cups fresh kale, chopped
- 1 cup heavy cream
- ¼ parmesan cheese, shaved
Instructions
- In a large pot or Dutch oven, brown the Italian sausage and diced onion together over medium heat. Stir occasionally and cook until the sausage is browned and the onions are soft.
- Stir in the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
- Pour in the chicken broth then add the diced potatoes. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to medium and let it simmer for 10-15 minutes, or until the potatoes are tender.
- Stir in the cooked bacon and chopped kale. Simmer until the kale begins to wilt.
- Pour in the heavy cream and stir. Heat through without boiling.
- Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper as needed. Serve hot, topped with shredded parmesan cheese.
Nutrition
Notes
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- Brown sausage and onion together: Cooking them at the same time builds flavor and saves a step, no need to remove the sausage from the pot.
- Cook bacon separately for best texture: Crisp bacon adds a smoky bite, stir it in at the end or use it as a garnish.
- Cut potatoes evenly: Evenly diced potatoes cook more consistently and keep the soup from becoming too thick in spots.
- Simmer gently: Once potatoes are added, keep the soup at a low simmer to prevent breaking them down too much.
- Add kale at the end: It softens quickly and keeps its color and texture best when added during the final few minutes.
- Stir in cream off the heat: Add the cream just before serving to keep it from curdling and to maintain its richness.
- Top with Parmesan: A sprinkle of shredded Parmesan enhances the flavor and gives a salty, cheesy finish.